Panduo was created in 1996 by Gary Gibson and Michael Bento, who, at
the time, were respectively leading of two of Seattle's most active
steel drum groups. To offer a smaller, more affordable group, while
still maintaining the musicality and flair of live steel pan music,
they combined their efforts to create Panduo, and it quickly became the
hottest small steel pan group in Seattle. With high-quality
pre-programmed accompaniment tracks combined with the excitement and
sparkle of live steel drums, the music sounds full, classy, and fun at
an affordable price.

In addition to the lower cost, there are other advantages to the format
offered by Panduo:

-Only
a small space is required for set-up, making it the perfect format for
restaurants, in-home parties, deck parties, or boat cruises.-With a minimal
amount of equipment and musical instruments, set-up is quick and clean,
and portable.-With
a small sound system and only two sets of steel pans, the volume is
controllable over a wide range. For small rooms, Panduo can play softer
than larger bands, while still having the ability to fill a larger room
(or the outdoors) with full sound if needed.-Panduo can
travel! With a small P.A. system provided at your location, we can fly
in and do the job!

For information about what Panduo needs from you in order to perform at
your event, click HERE.

The repertoire of Panduo offers much variety and flexibility. Calypso
and Soca, the music styles most commonly associated with steel drums,
is more than adequately covered in the book, while more contemporary
songs by the likes of Trinidad calypsonian Lord Kitchener, and Reggae
standards from the likes of Bob Marley are also covered. In addition to
the Caribbean styles, Panduo also plays many relaxed Latin jazz and pop
tunes, a necessary element for background music jobs like poolside
parties, cocktail receptions, and dinners. The group even includes over
an hour of seasonal favorites in their repertoire, making them perfect
for private or company holiday parties. With our jazzy approach to
these music styles, the music is always lively and new. See our
complete songlist.
As an
optional enhancement to Panduo, the group can be expanded to a trio
adding a flute player for a larger physical presence and an extra
musical dimension. If the scale of your event or budget doesn't allow
for the full duo or trio, a solo performance by Gary Gibson (with CD
rhythm section) is available (three-hours, maximum).

Who is Panduo?

Gary
Gibson (tenor pan, leader/manager) appears on all Panduo
gigs. He has a
Master's degree in Music Performance, and was on the jazz faculty at
Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Although he retired from
full-time teaching in 1996, he remains active as an educator, giving
clinics and masterclasses at colleges and universities througout the
U.S., as well as more locally on the faculty of the Centrum jazz
Workshop/Port Townsend jazz Festival. He is a full-time, freelance
performer and tours as a guest concert artist at colleges and
universities throughout the country. He has released four steel pan
jazz albums, all critically acclaimed. In 2004, Gary won Trinidad's
Panorama National Steelband Championship while playing with the
120-player-strong "Exodus Steel Orchestra" and in 2009 won two out of
three categories of the "Symphony & Steel" compsition
competition
(for symphony orchestra and steel pan ensemble). Gary recently
completed composing a 45-minute commissioned cantata for steel band and
choir (based on the folklore of Trinidad), and is increasingly in
demand as a composer specializing in the steel band genre. You can see
Gary's full bio HERE.

Dr. Shannon
Dudley

Miho Takekawa

Michael Bento

Along with Gary,
one of the folloing on double seconds pans:

Dr.
Shannon Dudley is Professor of Ethnomusicology at
University of
Washington, a noted steel drum historian and accomplished performer. He
is also the author of numerous articles and books on the history of
steel drums and calypso, and other music of Trinidad. He has also done
extensive research in many Latin American music styles.

Miho
Takekawa graduated from Kunitachi College of Music in
Tokyo and is
currently a doctoral candidate in percussion performance at the
University of Washington. In Japan, she formed the North Rainbow Steel
Drum Group in Sapporo, and is an arranger for the Hirosaki University
Steel Pan Band. She received the Washington Arts Commission Fellowship
grant with her CD "Tokyo to Seattle" in 2005. She is currently the
percussion instructor at Pacific Lutheran University.

Michael
Bento has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, and a
Master’s in Education. As a music teacher, he started one of
the
first elementary school steel bands in Washington State, and maintained
one of the longest running school steel drum programs in Washington at
Sunrise Elementary School in the Kent School District. He is recognized
nationally for his work with kids on steel pans. Michael was the leader
of the former professional steel band, "Island Time," a local favorite
in Seattle for more than a decade.

Availability and
Booking

If you are
interested in booking Panduo, please contact the agent that referred
you to this site.

"Last
night was amazing! I think it was our best dinner so far. I just wanted
to say thank you so much for coming out and playing for us! It was a
wonderful performance! Everyone loved it and I'm so happy that it got
everyone dancing! We will definitely keep you in mind for next year's
event." - Holly V.

"Thank
you very much for the uplifting and fun performance. Your steel drum
music makes everyone smile and puts a little wiggle in their step! As
always, it is a delight to work with you and I know people in
attendance really enjoyed your music. Panduo's performance is a welcome
addition to the event and is one of the things they look forward to
every year." - Lesli O.

"Today
is my birthday and you have given me the best present I've recieved all
day–the gift of hearing truly professional steel drum
players.
Thank you so much!" - Kathy S.

"Thank
you for providing such great music at our Annual Employee Event. Your
duo reallyadded just the right touch to the entire event. We llook
forward to having Panduo entertainus again!" - Angie E.

"Panduo
was such a great item to include and added so much to the party. it
created an extremely festive envirnoment! You were so good to work
with.
Again, thank you!" - Hillary O.